The New York Jets selected Slauson with their sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.[4] The Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan previously coached Slauson at Nebraska who was considered versatile, athletic and durable.[5] Slauson was signed to a four-year deal by the team in May.[6] Slauson would appear in three regular season games in 2009 playing at the guard and center positions respectively.[7]

Following the team's selection of Vladimir Ducasse in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Jets would release veteran guard Alan Faneca.[8] During the team's training camp sessions, Slauson battled Ducasse to replace Faneca.[7][9] On September 9, 2010, Slauson would be named the team's starting left guard.[10]

Slauson became the subject of criticism after utilizing a cut block against Brian Cushing that resulted in Cushing tearing his ACL on October 8, 2012. The play was considered legal by USA Today as both were within three yards of the line of scrimmage where an offensive lineman is allowed to low block a defensive player;[11] the Houston Chronicle contended that the block itself was legal but the location of the block was not.[12] Cushing, when asked about the play, stated "It's football. It's part of the game...it happened to me, and I've been on the other side of that, so I know how it goes."[11] Slauson was fined $10,000 by the league after they determined that he used an illegal peel-back block.[13]